Continuous downpour in Nepal, alert sounded over Koshi river

Kathmandu: Continuous heavy downpour in Nepal since Wednesday has caused floods and landslides in several areas and claimed at least five lives. The southern Terai belt of the country, adjoining India, was badly affected on Thursday.

Several highways were damaged by landslides and floods resulting in people being stranded enroute. Nepalgunj, a western Nepali border city with India, was inundated after the water level of Rapti river rose, media reports here said. Air services have also been halted in some hilly areas of Nepal due to bad weather.

A bridge over Ratu River on the east-west highway, which serves as a lifeline of the Himalayan nation, collapsed Wednesday night leaving hundreds stranded on the highway.

Similarly, water level of Saptakoshi river has also risen due to incessant rainfall and an alert has been sounded at the barrage site in the eastern direction of the river.

Known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar', any rise in the water level of the Koshi river would have direct impact on the Indian side or downstream of the river. At present, according to Shukanandan Singh, chief of Koshi Barrage Control Room, the water flow measured 254,253 cusecs as against 205,620 cusecs on Saturday.

The flood warning has been signalled at the barrage to indicate danger with the rise in the river's water level. Out of 56 sluice gates of the barrage, 33 are being kept open to release water, according to the local administration of Sunsari district.

The water level of another river along the Nepal-India border, Kamala, has also risen sharply since Wednesday, inundating hundreds of houses and killing at least two people.

Weathermen here have predicted that this type of active monsoon could last until Sunday triggering more flash floods and landslides across the country. Nepal experiences heavy loss of lives and property during the monsoon season every year but has failed to curb the menace effectively.